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The next Annual Technical Symposium will be held in Vancouver, BC October 4th-7th, 2008.

In this article you will find information on what to expect from the Symposium. Some quotations from past attendees:

“From my perspective, it was money and time well spent. Great people, valuable content, nice venue. Kudos to you and your team.”

“The Symposium was a wonderful, enlightening experience and I am so glad I went! I am looking forward to next year!”

Current TIRA membership is required for attendance. If you would like to find out your membership expiration date or have any additional questions about the 2008 Symposium, please contact stephanie@TIR.org

If you would like to be a presenter at the Symposium, please read the Presenter's Guidelines and contact Marian.

Dates and Schedule

October 3rd: Friday evening will be an opening reception for all Symposium attendees with a fabulous buffet of appetizers - enough in fact to constitute a meal. There will be no speakers on Friday night. It's a time to relax and get to know new people and meet up with old friends.

• TIR Symposium Days: Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 4th and 5th
• Metapsychology Symposium Days: Monday and Tuesday, Oct.6th and 7th

(You must have completed at least the first MFT Workshop to be eligible to attend the Metapsychology days.)

Registration closes: Aug. 28th, 2008

Symposium Hotel: Empire Landmark Hotel

Be sure to book your room at the Empire Landmark Hotel by August 28th 2008. You can reserve your room by calling 604-687-0511 or 1-800-830-6144 or by email to reservations@empirelandmarkhotel.com. Make sure you mention that you are with the "Traumatic Incident Reduction Association" or "TIRA" to receive the special room rates quoted for our members

Continuing Education

Attendance at the annual Technical Symposium counts toward TIRA/AMI re-certifications only.

What is a Symposium?

The concept of a symposium looks to be about as old as Western civilization, with the original Greek roots of the word meaning “drinking party” and the event being understood to include both drinking and intellectual discussion. (Personally we haven’t observed these two activities to go that well together.) The modern definition of symposium, is a gathering or meeting for the purpose of freely discussing ideas, especially ideas on a certain subject.

So the Technical Symposium is a gathering for the purpose of conversation on the subject of the technical application of TIR and Metapsychology techniques. We will talk about cases – both in general and in particular. We will talk about case planning, about when referrals are needed, about anything and everything related to getting the most effective results for our clients. Those of you who were here last year have a good idea of the benefits of this type of gathering.

Come with questions – specific or general, interesting cases you have worked with recently, special successes, perplexing frustrations. This is your chance to spend time brainstorming with the most experienced and knowledgeable people in this field and get your questions answered. This is not a conference where everyone sits in rows being lectured to by someone who theoretically knows more; this is a rich experience of interchange where we all learn from each other. We have people with a broad range of backgrounds, education and experience, which makes this meeting a unique opportunity for learning. Part of the value of this event is the opportunity to talk others with similar interests from all over the world.

One purpose of the Technical Symposium is to reward Facilitators who are members with an especially fulfilling experience. The other, equally important purpose is to actually advance the subjects of TIR and Metapsychology in terms of their practical application. Many of us find the opportunity to be a part of this both personally and professionally rewarding. The response last year was overwhelmingly positive.

Since the earliest days of TIR and Metapsychology, symposia have been held with the content of the discussion being determined by the participants. We make a comprehensive list of concerns, topics and questions, and work our way through them. The days seem to fly by, yet much is accomplished.

More quotations from attendees…

“I have really enjoyed this symposium immensely. I have gone to classes and conferences all over the US, in Hawaii and India. This group of people has the best hearts. They demonstrate by their actions how TIR works in their lives and how it spills over into others’ lives. Thanks. I enjoyed being a part of this.”

“I really liked having time to talk individually with the attendees about what they are doing that works, also experiencing their enthusiasm at facilitating better lives.”

“This was a WONDERFUL experience! Thank you! I am looking forward to seeing my clients.”

One of the best benefits of TIR and Metapsychology training and membership is the opportunity to attend the annual Technical Symposium, where professionals using TIR and related techniques gather to discuss cases, applications, and new material. This is not a conference, but a discussion among colleagues on the use and application of TIR and Metapsychology, started off with short presentations in the mornings..

This rare opportunity offers you the chance to talk with the developer of these subjects, Frank A. Gerbode, MD, and with many of the senior trainers in an informal setting. In the afternoon meetings, we compile a list of every topic of interest to the participants and work our way through them, sometimes pausing to try out or demonstrate a new technique.

Participants at the 2003 Symposium (in Ann Arbor) enjoyed the mix of people from different disciplines and backgrounds, and the practical help they received on how to work with clients with whom they had had difficulty. Frank A. Gerbode, M.D. Developer of TIR and Metapsychology

Here are some of their comments: